Ice Maker and Refrigerator Having Same

ABSTRACT

An ice maker and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. According to one aspect, a refrigerator may include a main body having a storage room therein; a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and an ice maker in the storage room. The ice maker includes a case; an ice making assembly in the case, configured to make ice; an ice tray configured to contain water; a discharge unit configured to discharge the ice in the ice making assembly; and a transfer unit configured to move the ice in the ice making assembly to the discharge unit. The discharge unit and the case are elastically coupled at one side or end and tension-coupled at another side or end.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator havingthe same.

BACKGROUND

A refrigerator is an apparatus for storing food at a low temperature.The refrigerator can be configured to store the food in a frozen orrefrigerated state according to the type of food to be stored. Theinside of the refrigerator is cooled down by continuously supplied coldair, and the cold air is continuously generated by the heat exchangeaction of a refrigerant by way of a refrigeration cycle going throughthe process of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation.Since the cold air supplied to the inside of the refrigerator is evenlydelivered inside the refrigerator owing to convection, the food insidethe refrigerator can be stored at a desired temperature.

An ice maker may be provided in the refrigerator for the convenience ofuse. The ice maker may make ice by supplying cold air to water andstoring a predetermined amount of ice. The ice maker may include an icemaking tray for making ice, an ice storage unit for storing the ice madeby the ice making tray, and a cover unit for protecting the ice makingtray.

The ice storage unit may slide into the ice maker or be withdrawnthrough an open side of the ice maker. In addition, a locking device maybe in the refrigerator to lock the ice storage unit and prevent itsaccidental withdrawal.

The locking device may include an open button or a magnet. However, thelocking device may be inconvenient to use, as it may require both handsof the user to unlock, and it may lower productivity, as the structuremay be relatively complicated.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker easy toput in and/or take out, and a refrigerator having the same.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide anice maker that is convenient to use, and a refrigerator having the same.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda refrigerator comprising a main body having a storage room therein; adoor on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room;and an ice maker in the storage room, wherein the ice maker includes acase; an ice making assembly in the case, configured to make ice; an icetray configured to contain water; a discharge unit configured todischarge the ice in the ice making assembly (e.g., to a locationoutside the refrigerator); and a transfer unit configured to move theice in the ice making assembly to the discharge unit. The discharge unitand the case are elastically coupled at one side or end andtension-coupled at another side or end.

The discharge unit may include a discharge unit housing having an openside; a discharge unit cover on the open side of the discharge unithousing; and a bar or strike (e.g., strike plate) at least partiallybetween the discharge unit housing and the discharge unit cover.

The discharge unit housing may include an insertion hole through whichpart of the bar or strike passes; and a catch at a position that doesnot overlap with the insertion hole, wherein the catch includes aninsertion guide unit that slopes toward the discharge unit housing; aninsert-fixing unit between an end of the insertion guide unit and thedischarge unit housing, comprising a recessed groove or depression; andan insert-latching unit on a side of the discharge unit housing,insert-latching unit protruding upwards.

The case may include a first latching unit corresponding to theinsertion hole; a second latching unit corresponding to a protrusiongroove; and another catch, configured to retain and deformably releasethe bar or strike, the other catch being connected to the first latchingunit, wherein the bar or strike is retractable and extendable (e.g.,reversibly attachable to and detachable from the other catch).

The discharge unit cover may include a resting groove containing atleast part of the bar or strike, one or more uppermost surfaces of thebar or strike extend through the insertion hole, and the ice makerfurther includes an elastic member under the bar or strike wherein theelastic member contacts a bottom surface of the resting groove and/orapplies a force to the bar or strike.

The elastic member may comprise one or more springs.

The other catch may include a first fixing unit at a front end of theother catch that slopes downwards from front to rear; and a secondfixing unit adjacent to and/or behind the first fixing unit andcorresponding to the one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar orstrike.

The second latching unit may include a prominence unit of extending froma top to a bottom (e.g., of an end or side of the second latching unit);and a supporting unit in front of the prominence unit and slopingdownwards as a function of distance from the discharge unit housing.When the other catch is in and/or coupled to the second latching unit,the insert-fixing unit is fixed to the prominence unit, and theinsertion guide unit contacts a back side of the prominence unit.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is providedan ice maker for a refrigerator and/or configured to make ice, the icemaker comprising a case; an ice making assembly in the case, configuredto make ice; an ice tray configured to contain water; a discharge unitconfigured to discharge the ice in the ice making assembly (e.g., to alocation outside of the refrigerator); and a transfer unit configured tomove the ice in the ice making assembly to the discharge unit, whereinthe discharge unit includes a discharge unit housing having one openside; a discharge unit cover on the open side of the discharge unithousing; and a bar or strike and an elastic member, wherein the bar orstrike is at or near a top of the discharge unit housing, a bent catchis at or near a bottom of the discharge unit housing, and the bent catchis insertable into and removeable from the case to detachably couple thebent catch therein or thereto.

At least part of the bar or strike is between the discharge unit housingand the discharge unit cover, and the ice maker further comprisesanother catch, coupled to the case, configured to engage with the bar orstrike (or one or more uppermost surfaces thereof).

The ice maker may include a first latching unit on or at a top of thecase, and/or a second latching unit on or at a bottom of the case. Theother catch may be coupled to or part of the first latching unit, andthe bent catch may be coupled to or part of the second latching unit.

The second latching unit may include a prominence unit extending from atop to a bottom (e.g., of an end or side of the second latching unit),forming a space behind the prominence unit. The bent catch may includean insertion guide unit that slopes (e.g., upwards) toward the dischargeunit housing; an insert-fixing unit between an end of the insertionguide unit and the discharge unit housing, comprising a recessed grooveor depression; and an insert-latching unit on a side of the dischargeunit housing, the insert-latching unit protruding upwards.

The other catch may include a first fixing unit at a front end of theother catch that slopes downwards from front to rear; and a secondfixing unit adjacent to and/or behind the first fixing unit,corresponding to one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike.When the first fixing unit applies a force to the bar or strike, theuppermost surface(s) of the bar or strike at least partially retractinto the discharge unit housing.

The ice maker may further comprise a gasket configured to seal a gapbetween the discharge unit housing and the case. The gasket may becoupled to the discharge unit cover.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an icemaker that is easy to put in or take out and a refrigerator having thesame can be provided.

In addition, an ice maker that is easy to use and a refrigerator havingthe same can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary refrigerator accordingto one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an exemplary ice maker suitable forthe refrigerator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an exemplary case and an exemplarydischarge unit suitable for the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the exemplary case of FIG. 5 from adifferent viewpoint;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described inmore detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosedembodiments may be modified in a variety of forms, and the scope of thepresent invention should not be limited to the embodiments describedbelow. The embodiments are provided to explain the present invention tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shapes of the elements in thedrawing may be exaggerated to emphasize more clear descriptions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to one ormore embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention may include a main body 10 and oneor more doors 20.

Hereinafter, the direction from the rear side to the front side of therefrigerator 1 is referred to as a thickness direction, the directionfrom one side surface to another side surface of the refrigerator 1 isreferred to as a width direction, and the direction from the bottomsurface to the top surface of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as aheight direction. The door(s) 20 are at the front of the refrigerator 1,and the icemaker 30 is adjacent to the top surface of the refrigerator1.

The main body 10 provides and/or defines the overall external shape ofthe refrigerator 1. At least one storage room 11 may be inside the mainbody 10. The storage room(s) 11 inside the main body 10 may bepartitioned by a barrier 12. The storage room 11 may include arefrigeration room R and a freezer room F. For example, therefrigeration room R may be at or in the upper part of the main body 10,and the freezer room F may be at or in the lower part of the main body10.

At least one door 20 is on the main body 10. The door 20 opens andcloses the storage room 11. For example, the door 20 is hingedly orpivotally fixed to the main body 10 to rotate, and may open and closethe storage room 11 as it rotates with respect to the main body 10. Thenumber of doors 20 may correspond to the number of storage rooms 11. Forexample, doors 20 are provided in front of the refrigeration room(s) Rand the freezer room(s) F, respectively, and may individually open andclose a corresponding one of the refrigeration room(s) R and the freezerroom(s) F. For example, two doors 20 may be provided in therefrigeration room Ron the left and right sides of the refrigerator 1.One or more shelves 21 may be provided on the inside surface of the door20.

An ice maker 30 may be at or on one side of one storage room 11. Forexample, the ice maker 30 may be in one refrigeration room R and/or atthe upper part of one of the storage rooms 11. Alternatively, the icemaker 30 may be in one door 20 or in the freezer room F.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an exemplary ice maker suitable forthe refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective viewshowing the ice maker of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional viewshowing the ice maker of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showingthe case and the discharge unit in the ice maker of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is aperspective view showing the case of FIG. 5 from a different viewpoint,FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 shows anenlarged view of part B in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, the ice maker 30 may include a case 100, anice making assembly 200, an ice bucket 300, a discharge unit 400 and atransfer unit 500.

The ice maker 30 may make and store ice.

Hereinafter, the direction from a cold air duct 110 to the dischargeunit 400 is referred to as a first direction X, a directionperpendicular to the first direction X (e.g., a horizontal directionand/or in a plane) is referred to as a second direction Y, and thevertical direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and thesecond direction Y is referred to as a third direction Z. In addition, aside on which the discharge unit 400 is located is referred to as afront side (e.g., of the ice maker), and a direction in which the coldair duct 110 is located is referred to as a rear side (e.g., of the icemaker).

The external shape of the ice maker 30 may be defined in part by thecase 100. The case 100 may have a preset volume and a space foraccommodating constitutional components of the ice maker 30 therein. Thecase 100 may be fixed at a point inside the storage room 11 or insidethe door 20. In addition, a first latching unit (e.g., a first latch)1100, a second latching unit (e.g., a second latch) 1200, and a catch1300 configured to couple the case 100 and the discharge unit 400 may bein or on the case 100. The specific coupling of the case 100 and thedischarge unit 400 will be described below.

The ice making assembly 200 may make ice by exchanging heat of or in thewater in the ice making assembly 200 with cold air. The ice makingassembly 200 may include an ice tray 2100, a guide unit 2200, a rotationunit 2300 and a cover unit 2400.

The ice tray 2100 is configured to contain water. The water in the icetray 2100 is solidified (i.e., becomes ice) through heat exchange withcold air. The ice tray 2100 may comprise a container having a centerportion is concave downwards (see, e.g., FIG. 3), and a space and/orpreset volume for containing water may be on or in the ice tray 2100.For example, the ice tray 2100 may comprise a multi-compartmentcontainer, each compartment being configured to hold a predeterminedvolume of liquid water and optionally having a convex lower surface, inwhich the center of each compartment has a greater depth than along thesidewalls of each compartment. The ice tray 2100 may have a presetlength along the first direction X and a preset width in the seconddirection Y. For example, the ice tray 2100 may be rectangular as seenfrom the top (e.g., in a plan view).

A heater 2110 may be under the ice tray 2100. The heater 2110 maycontact the bottom surface of the ice tray 2100 at least at one point.When the ice made in the ice tray 2100 is transferred to the ice bucket300 by the rotation unit 2300, the heater 2110 may heat the bottomsurface of the ice tray 2100 so that the ice may be effectivelyseparated from the ice tray 2100.

The guide unit 2200 may be under the ice tray 2100. The guide unit 2200forms a path for flowing cold air onto and/or around the ice tray 2100.The cold air flowing between the guide unit 2200 and the ice tray 2100cools down the ice tray 2100 to freeze the water in the ice tray 2100.The guide unit 2200 may have a preset length in the first direction Xand a preset width in the second direction Y. The guide unit 2200 maycontact the ice tray 2100 at least at a point and may support the icetray 2100. The rear end of the guide unit 2200 in the first direction Xmay communicate with the cold air duct 110, which supplies the cold air.The guide unit 2200 may be fixed to the inside surface of the case 100or to the cold air duct 110.

The rotation unit 2300 moves the ice in the ice tray 2100 to the icebucket 300. The rotation unit 2300 may include an ice removing shaft2310 and a drive housing 2320.

As the ice removing shaft 2310 rotates, the ice in the ice tray 2100 ismoved to the outside of the ice tray 2100. The ice removing shaft 2310has a preset length and may be in a space above the ice tray 2100. Thelength of the ice removing shaft 2310 may be in or along the firstdirection X. One or more ice removing prominences 2311 may be along theice removing shaft 2310. The ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may extendfrom the outer surface of the ice removing shaft 2310 by a presetlength. The ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may not contact the water inthe ice tray 2100 when the rotation unit 2300 is in a standby state(i.e., not in an operational state). When the ice removing shaft 2310rotates for transfer of the ice, the ice removing prominence(s) 2311 maypush the ice out of the ice tray 2100.

A drive unit (e.g., motor) inside the drive housing 2320 provides powerfor rotating the ice removing shaft 2310. The drive housing 2320 may belocated at one side of the ice tray 2100 along or with respect to thefirst direction X. The drive housing 2320 may be located on the oppositeside of the ice removing shaft 2310 from the cold air duct 110. One endof the ice removing shaft 2310 may be inserted into the drive housing2320 by a preset length and connected to the driving unit (e.g., motor)inside the drive housing 2320.

The cover unit 2400 may be on or over the ice tray 2100, in or along thethird direction Z. The cover unit 2400 may cover part or all of the icetray 2100. The cover unit 2400 may have a preset length in the firstdirection X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The width ofthe cover unit 2400 may correspond to the width of the guide unit 2200,or may be larger than the width of the guide unit 2200 by a set width.Accordingly, the ice tray 2100 may be between the cold air guide unit2200 and the cover unit 2400. The front end of the cover unit 2400 maycontact the top of the drive housing 2320. The cover unit 2400 may befixed to the inner surface of the case 2410 at least at one point.

A water supply unit 2410 may be at the rear end of the cover unit 2400.The water supply unit 2410 supplies water from an external source to theice tray 2100. For example, a water supply hole 120 connected to a watersupply pipe 121 may be at one side of the case 100. In addition, thewater supply unit 2410 may be aligned with the water supply hole 120,and the water flowing through the water supply hole 120 may be suppliedto the water supply unit 2410.

The ice bucket 300 is located under the ice making assembly 200 andcontains ice from the ice making assembly 200. The ice bucket 300 mayhave a preset length along the first direction X and a preset width inthe second direction Y. The ice bucket 300 may comprise a containerhaving a center portion that is concave downwards (e.g., U-shaped), andthe ice bucket 300 may include a preset volume for containing ice. Asseen from the top along the third direction Z, at least part of the icebucket 300 is positioned outside the ice tray 2100 in the widthdirection, and the ice supplied from the ice tray 2100 may be containedin the ice bucket 300.

The discharge unit 400 may be at an end of the ice bucket 300. Thedischarge unit 400 discharges the ice in the ice bucket 300 to theoutside of the ice maker 30 (e.g., through the corresponding door 20;see FIG. 1). The discharge unit 400 may be coupled or connected to thefront end of the ice bucket 300. The discharge unit 400 may be outsidethe case 100.

The discharge unit 400 has a width corresponding to the case 100 in thesecond direction Y and a height corresponding to the case 100 in thethird direction Z and may shield the case 100. The discharge unit 400may be detachable from the case 100. Accordingly, if the user separatesthe discharge unit 400 from the case 100 and moves the discharge unit400 forward (e.g., out of the corresponding storage space), the icebucket 300 may be exposed to the outside of the case 100.

Specifically, the discharge unit 400 includes a discharge unit housing4100, a discharge unit cover 4200, a gasket 4300 and a retractable andextendable (e.g., spring-loaded) bar or strike (e.g., strike plate)4400.

The discharge unit housing 4100 may form or define the external shape ofthe discharge unit 400, and may correspond to the size of the case 100.The discharge unit housing 4100 may be open on the back side and closedon the front side, and the open back side may be coupled to the frontside of the case 100.

The discharge unit housing 4100 may include an insertion hole 4110 (FIG.5) and a catch 4120 (FIGS. 4 and 8). Part of the bar or strike 4400 mayextend through the insertion hole 4110. Specifically, the insertion hole4110 may be at one side and/or end of the discharge unit housing 4100,and for example, the insertion hole 4110 may be on an upper or uppermostsurface (e.g., the top) of the discharge unit housing 4100.

In addition, the catch 4120 may correspond to a second latching unit(e.g., a second latch) 1200 of the case 100. The catch 4120 may be atone side or end of the discharge unit housing 4100. For example, thecatch 4120 may be on the bottom of the discharge unit housing 4100. Thecatch 4120 may be at a position that does not overlap with the insertionhole 4110.

The catch 4120 extends from or along one side or end of the dischargeunit housing 4100, and may have a bent shape (e.g., a V, U, N, S, W, orN-, S- or W-like shape). Specifically, the catch 4120 may include aninsertion guide unit 4121, an insert-fixing unit 4122 and aninsert-latching unit 4123. The insertion guide unit 4121 may be at theopposite end or on an opposite side of the discharge unit housing 4100from the insertion hole 4110. The insertion guide unit 4121 slopesupwards in the direction of the ice bucket 300 and/or the discharge unithousing 4100. Accordingly, when the discharge unit housing 4100 movestoward the case 100, the catch 4120 may be effectively and elasticallydeformed or deflected by the prominence unit 1210. The insert-fixingunit 4122 is located in the section between the end of the insertionguide unit 4121 and the discharge unit housing 4100. The insert-fixingunit 4122 may comprise a groove or depression (e.g., that may berecessed downwards, relative to the insertion guide unit 4121). If theprominence unit 1210 is positioned (e.g., correctly), the discharge unit400 may be fixed to the case 100.

In addition, the insert-latching unit 4123 may be on a side of thedischarge unit housing 4100 and may protrude upwards. Accordingly, theinsert-latching unit 4123 may contact or be fixed to a supporting unit1220 that will be described below (see FIG. 8).

The second latching unit 1200 of or on the case 100 may comprise agroove or depression having a size corresponding to the catch 4120, andthe prominence unit 1210 and the supporting unit 1220 may be at or onone side (e.g., of the second latch 1200). The prominence unit 1210 mayextend from the top to the bottom of the second latching unit 1200. Inaddition, a space may exist in the second latch 1200 to insert the otherend (e.g., the insert-fixing unit 4122) of the catch 4120 behind theprominence unit 1210. Accordingly, if the catch 4120 is inserted intothe second latching unit 1200 and coupled thereto, the insert-fixingunit 4122 of the catch 4120 may be fixed to the prominence unit 1210,and the insertion guide unit 4121 may contact and/or be coupled to theback side of the prominence unit 1210.

The supporting unit 1220 may be in front of the prominence unit 1210(e.g., towards the discharge unit housing 4100 and/or the door 20). Thebottom side of the supporting unit 1220 may slope downwards (e.g., fromthe outermost edge nearest the discharge unit housing 4100 and/or thedoor 20, towards the lowermost surface of the case 100) as a function ofdistance from the discharge unit housing 4100 and/or the (closed) door20. Accordingly, the insert-latching unit 4123 of the catch 4120 may besupported.

The discharge unit cover 4200 may be on or fixed to the open back sideof the discharge unit housing 4100. Specifically, the discharge unitcover 4200 may be on or covering the open side of the discharge unithousing 4100 and connected to the ice bucket 300. That is, the dischargeunit cover 4200 may be between the discharge unit housing 4100 and thecase 100. Constitutional components (e.g., of the discharge unit) may beaccommodated between the discharge unit housing 4100 and the dischargeunit cover 4200, and the ice bucket 300 may move together with thedischarge unit cover 4200. In addition, the discharge unit housing 4100and the discharge unit cover 4200 may be coupled and stay coupledthrough a separate coupling member (shown at least in part in FIGS. 3and 5).

The discharge unit cover 4200 may include a resting groove (e.g., firstlatch housing) 4210 and an insertion unit (not shown). The dischargeunit cover 4200 may have dimensions (e.g., an area) corresponding to thesize or dimensions of the discharge unit housing 4100 and may cover theopen side of the discharge unit housing 4100. In addition, the restinggroove 4210 may extend toward the front side (e.g., into the dischargeunit cover 4200).

A retractable and extendable (e.g., spring-loaded) bar or strike (e.g.,strike plate) 4400 is housed in the resting groove 4210. The restinggroove 4210 may correspond to the insertion hole 4110 of the dischargeunit housing 4100. The specific shape of the resting groove 4210 will bedescribed below.

The insertion unit may extend towards the back side of the dischargeunit cover 4200. The insertion unit is along the outer edge or peripheryof the discharge unit cover 4200 and may have edges or sidewalls thatare spaced apart by a preset distance. A gasket 4300 may be inserted inthe insertion unit. Accordingly, the gasket 4300 may tightly seal thegap between the discharge unit housing 4100 and the case 100. The icebucket 300 (or a front end thereof) may pass through the insertion unit.

The bar or strike 4400 may be at one side of the discharge unit housing4100 and the discharge unit cover 4200. The bar or strike 4400 couplesthe discharge unit 400 and the case 100, and releases and couples thedischarge unit 400 and the case 100. The first latch may further includean elastic member (e.g., one or more springs) 4410. Specifically, thetop (e.g., angled or pointed) surface of the bar or strike 4400 mayextend through the insertion hole 4110, and the elastic member 4410 maysupport the bar or strike 4400 (e.g., from underneath). Accordingly, theelastic member 4410 rests on or is supported by the resting groove 4210or a lowermost inner surface thereof. Part or all of the uppermostsurface(s) of the bar or strike 4400 may protrude through the insertionhole 4110 of the case housing 4100. Alternatively, the bar or strike4400 may not fully penetrate through the insertion hole 4110, and onlythe top section or portion (e.g., including the uppermost surface[s]) ofthe bar or strike 4400 may protrude through the insertion hole 4110. Inaddition, the uppermost surface(s) of the bar or strike 4400 may besloped or angled (i.e., may have a slope of 10-80° when the ice bucket300 is fully inserted into the ice maker and the discharge unit 400 isassembled and fixed to the ice bucket 300).

The bar or strike 4400 may fully extend through the insertion hole 4110from the elastic force of the elastic member 4410, and accordingly, thebar or strike 4400 may be between the discharge unit housing 4100 andthe discharge unit cover 4200.

The elastic member 4410 may be in the resting groove 4210 of thedischarge unit cover 4200. Although a spring is an example of theelastic member 4410 in this embodiment, the elastic member 4410 is notlimited thereto. For example, the elastic member 4410 may be or comprisea plate spring.

The bar or strike 4400 may be coupled to and detached from the catch1300. The catch 1300 couples the discharge unit 400 and the case 100,and part of the catch 1300 may be above the bar or strike 4400 when thefirst latch is latched. Specifically, one side or end of the catch 1300may be on or above the bar or strike 4400, and the other side or end maybe on or attached to the first latching unit 1100 of the case 100. Thatis, the first latching unit 1100 may correspond to the catch 1300. Thecatch 1300 may be fixed to the case 100 through a separate couplingmeans. For example, the catch 1300 may be coupled to the case 100through a bolt and nut, a screw, one or more rivets or other fasteners,etc.

The catch 1300 may apply pressure to the elastic member 4410 of the baror strike 4400. The catch 1300 may include a first fixing unit 1310 anda second fixing unit 1320. The first fixing unit 1310 may be at thefront end of the catch 1300. The first fixing unit 1310 may slopeddownwards from the front to the rear. Accordingly, when the dischargeunit 400 moves toward the case 100 while being aligned with the case 100in the first direction X so as to insert the ice bucket into the case100, the bar or strike 4400 is pressed downwards by the first fixingunit 1310, and at least part of the top section or portion of the bar orstrike 4400 is temporarily forced or pushed into the discharge unithousing 4100 and/or the resting groove 4210.

The second fixing unit 1320 may be adjacent to and/or to the rear of thefirst fixing unit 1310. The second fixing unit 1320 may correspond tothe top section and/or portion of the bar or strike 4400, andaccordingly, when the discharge unit 400 moves further toward the case100, the bar or strike 4400 may extend into the catch 1300 to be coupledtherein (e.g., at, in or by the second fixing unit 1320).

Describing separation of the discharge unit 400 from the case 100 indetail, first, the user may apply pressure to the catch 1300, andaccordingly, the elastic member 4410 below the bar or strike 4400 maytemporarily compress and/or the bar or strike 4400 may retract into theresting groove 4210 below the insertion hole 4110, and the user mayseparate the discharge unit housing 4100 from the catch 1300. Separationof the bar or strike 4400 from the catch 1300 may be easily performedalong the slope of the upper surfaces of the bar or strike 4400.

When the catch 1300 and the discharge unit housing 4100 are separated,the tops of the discharge unit 400 and the case 100 may be separated,but the bottoms may be coupled. At this point, the user may separate thecatch 4120 from the second latching unit 1200 of the case 100 byapplying an external force to the bottom side of the discharge unithousing 4100.

That is, since the case 100 and the discharge unit 400 are elasticallycoupled at one side and tension-coupled at the other side, insertion andwithdrawal of the discharge unit 400 may be easy.

The transfer unit 500 moves the ice in the ice bucket 300 to thedischarge unit 400. The transfer unit 500 includes a transfer shaft 510and a transfer housing 520.

As the transfer shaft 510 rotates, the ice in the ice bucket 300 movesto the discharge unit 400. The transfer shaft 510 has a preset lengthand may be in lower part or portion of the ice bucket 300. The transfershaft 510 may have a length or rotational axis in or along the firstdirection X. For example, the transfer shaft 510 may be or comprise anauger.

The transfer housing 520 houses a motor that provides power for rotatingthe transfer shaft 510. The transfer housing 520 may be at one side ofthe ice bucket 300 in or along the first direction X. The transferhousing 520 may be on the opposite side of the ice bucket 300 from thedischarge unit 400. The transfer shaft 510 is coupled or connected tothe transfer housing 520 or the motor therein, and may rotate by thepower provided by the motor in the transfer housing 520.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an icemaker that is easy to put in or take out and a refrigerator having thesame can be provided.

In addition, an ice maker that is easy to use and a refrigerator havingthe same can be provided.

The above detailed description provides examples of the presentinvention. In addition, the above description explains by showingpreferred embodiments of the present invention, and the presentinvention may be used in various different combinations, changes andenvironments. That is, the present invention may be modified or changedwithin the scope of the spirit of the present invention disclosed inthis specification, within a scope equivalent to the disclosed contents,and/or within the scope of the technique(s) or knowledge of the priorart. The above embodiments describe the best conditions for implementingthe technical spirit of the present invention, and various changes inthe specific application fields and usages of the present invention alsocan be made. Accordingly, the detailed description of the presentinvention as described above shows disclosed embodiments and is notintended to limit the present invention. In addition, the appendedclaims should be interpreted as also including other embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body having astorage room therein; a door on the main body, configured to open andclose the storage room; and an ice maker in the storage room, whereinthe ice maker includes: a case; an ice making assembly in the case,configured to make ice; an ice tray configured to contain water; adischarge unit configured to discharge the ice in the ice makingassembly; and a transfer unit configured to move the ice in the icemaking assembly to the discharge unit, wherein the discharge unit andthe case are elastically coupled at one side or end and tension-coupledat another side or end.
 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1,wherein the discharge unit includes: a discharge unit housing having anopen side; a discharge unit cover on the open side of the discharge unithousing; and a bar or strike, at least part of which is between thedischarge unit housing and the discharge unit cover.
 3. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 2, wherein the discharge unit housing includes: aninsertion hole through which part of the bar or strike passes; and afirst catch at a position that does not overlap with the insertion hole,wherein the first catch includes: an insertion guide unit that slopestoward the discharge unit housing; an insert-fixing unit between an endof the insertion guide unit and the discharge unit housing, comprising arecessed groove or depression; and an insert-latching unit on a side ofthe discharge unit housing, the insert-latching unit protruding upwards.4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the case includes: afirst latching unit corresponding to the insertion hole; a secondlatching unit corresponding to a protrusion groove; and a second catchconfigured to retain and deformably release the bar or strike, thesecond catch being connected to the first latching unit, wherein the baror strike is retractable and extendable.
 5. The refrigerator accordingto claim 3, wherein the discharge unit cover includes a resting groovecontaining at least part of the bar or strike, one or more uppermostsurfaces of the bar or strike extend through the insertion hole, and theice maker further includes an elastic member under the bar or strike,and the elastic member applies an elastic force to the bar or strike. 6.The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the elastic membercomprises one or more springs.
 7. The refrigerator according to claim 4,wherein the second catch includes: a first fixing unit at a front end ofthe second catch that slopes downwards from front to rear; and a secondfixing unit adjacent to and/or behind the first fixing unit,corresponding to one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike. 8.The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the second latching unitincludes: a prominence unit extending from a top to a bottom of an endor side of the second latching unit; and a supporting unit in front ofor adjacent to the prominence unit and sloping downwards as a functionof distance from the discharge unit housing, and when the first catch isin and/or coupled to the second latching unit, the insert-fixing unit isfixed to the prominence unit, and the insertion guide unit contacts aback side of the prominence unit.
 9. An ice maker for a refrigerator,the ice maker comprising: a case; an ice making assembly in the case,configured to make ice; an ice tray configured to contain water; adischarge unit configured to discharge the ice in the ice makingassembly; and a transfer unit configured to move the ice in the icemaking assembly to the discharge unit, wherein the discharge unitincludes: a discharge unit housing having one open side; a dischargeunit cover on the open side of the discharge unit housing; a bar orstrike and an elastic member, wherein the bar or strike is at or near atop of the discharge unit housing; and a bent catch is at or near abottom of the discharge unit housing, and the bent catch is insertableinto and removeable from the case to detachably couple the bent catchtherein or thereto.
 10. The ice maker according to claim 9, wherein atleast part of the bar or strike is between the discharge unit housingand the discharge unit cover, and the ice maker further comprises asecond catch coupled to the case, configured to engage with the bar orstrike.
 11. The ice maker according to claim 9, comprising a firstlatching unit on or at a top of the case, and a second latching unit onor at a bottom of the case, wherein the second catch is coupled to orpart of the first latching unit, and the bent catch is coupled to orpart of the second latching unit.
 12. The ice maker according to claim11, wherein the second latching unit includes a prominence unitextending from a top to a bottom of an end or side of the secondlatching unit, forming a space behind the prominence unit, wherein thebent catch includes: an insertion guide unit that slopes toward thedischarge unit housing; an insert-fixing unit between an end of theinsertion guide unit and the discharge unit housing, comprising arecessed groove or depression; and an insert-latching unit on a side ofthe discharge unit housing, the insert-latching unit protruding upwards.13. The ice maker according to claim 10, wherein the second catchincludes: a first fixing unit at a front end of the second catch thatslopes downwards from front to rear; and a second fixing unit to and/orbehind the first fixing unit, corresponding to one or more uppermostsurfaces of the bar or strike.
 14. The ice maker according to claim 13,wherein when the first fixing unit applies a force to the bar or strike,the one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike at leastpartially retract into the discharge unit housing.
 15. The ice makeraccording to claim 9, further comprising a gasket configured to seal agap between the discharge unit housing and the case.
 16. The ice makeraccording to claim 15, wherein the gasket is coupled to the dischargeunit cover.